NEWS

Two Teams Double Up on National Titles at 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships

by
Monica Worsley | Aug 12, 2012

WORCESTER, Mass. – Cambridge Boat Club and Minneapolis Boat Club brought home the men’s and women’s points trophies and secured the respective overall points and efficiency trophies at the 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships.

WORCESTER, Mass. – Cambridge Boat Club and Minneapolis Rowing Club brought home the men’s and women’s points trophies and secured the respective overall points and efficiency trophies at the 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships.

The local team from Cambridge, Mass., took home the overall point’s trophy with 874 points.

“It was our team goal all year once we knew that the regatta was going to be in the Northeast,” said Jim Pierce, rowing committee chair. “A lot of people came out to train.”

Cambridge club treasurer, Charlie Hamlin, estimated the club’s participation at 144 of the 1,924 entries.

“It’s a lot of fun to come to Worcester, especially when you’re from Cambridge, and we really went after it as a club and in the end it paid off,” said Hamlin.

They had particularly strong showing from the club’s male members.

As a result, the overall points trophy in the men’s division also went to Cambridge. Potomac Boat Club, last year’s men’s masters national champions, came in second by a 147.75-point margin.

For the women from Minneapolis Rowing Club, the trip to Quinsigamond Lake in Worcester, Mass., was a success. The ladies from “Land of 10,000 Lakes” won the national title in women’s division with 321.25 points.

“The women met after the Head of the Charles last year and reflected on Oklahoma City and set their goal of winning the women’s point trophy, and they brought on coach Craig Dodson,” said Minneapolis coach John Davis.

It is the second consecutive year that Minneapolis won the overall point’s trophy for the females.

“Our women performed exceedingly well at a super high level. They were really intense and had a sense of competition and brought a winning atmosphere,” said Davis.

That competitive spirit also translated into winning the Efficiency Trophy, a trophy based on points earned per athlete.

It was the combined efforts of male and female racers from Minnesota that factored into that particular title.

At the end of the regatta each, Minneapolis rower had generated 11.86 points based on several strong finished.

“This weekend was really great; yesterday we won three eights,” said Jill Cooper.

Compared with last year, only a small contingent of the Minneapolis crew made the trip.

“Last year, we brought a full team, but this year we are a little lighter,” said John Davis. “The core group came with a few new people.”

Both titles were therefore a result of some strong rowing by roughly 30 Midwestern athletes.

As four days of racing and unpredictable weather came to a close, many of the competitors left the event with smiles on their faces.

“I think the regatta went very well considering the size of the event, the tightness of the schedule and weather conditions,” said chief referee Vanessa Flory.

“Despite having to cancel one afternoon of racing, I thought we [USRowing and referee staff] were able to provide athletes with competitive racing. Worcester has a nice course and great volunteers. I think the athletes left having a positive experience.”

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